Elections & Voter Registration

The City Clerk is the City Elections Official and is responsible for administering the City’s general municipal elections and special elections for both candidates and measures; processing petitions relating to initiatives, recalls and referendums.

City Council

Walnut Creek City Councilmembers are elected at large to staggered four-year terms. The City of Walnut Creek consolidates its General Municipal Election with the statewide election held in even-numbered years.

Upcoming Elections

Walnut Creeks' next regularly-scheduled election will be held in November 3, 2020 At this election, Walnut Creeks' voters will elect three City Councilmembers. The nomination period will open in mid-July 2020.

If you are interested in running for office at a future election, please call City Clerk Suzie Martinez at 925.943.5819 to schedule an appointment to pull nomination papers. The City Clerk will walk potential candidates through the election process and provide materials at this meeting. Appointments last approximately 1 hour.

Running for Office / Candidate Qualifications

If you are interested in running for public office in the City of Walnut Creek, you must meet the following requirements: must be

(1) an elector of the city when he or she assumes office; and
(2) a registered voter of the City when nomination papers are issued (Government Code § 36502).

An “elector” is a United States citizen, 18 years of age or older and a resident of the election precinct at least 15 days prior to an election (Elections Code § 321).

Information regarding the nomination period for the November 3, 2020 election will be provided here as it becomes available. For questions about the 2020 election, please contact City Clerk Suzie Martinez at (925) 943-5819.

Voter Registration

A person, 18 years of age or older and not imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony, may register to vote at anytime; however, registration for a specific election closes 15 days prior to that election. Registration is permanent and a new affidavit of registration need only be executed if you have changed your name, address or wish to change your political party affiliation. Voter registration forms can be obtained at the City Clerk’s Office, the Contra Costa County Election Division, online through the California Secretary of State or by calling the City Clerk’s Office to have a form mailed to you.

Walnut Creek has 46,149 registered voters as of February 10, 2019. Voter Registration statistics are updated by the Secretary of State's Office quarterly.

Polling Place Location

At least 21 days before an election each registered voter will receive a sample ballot and notice of polling place location. A person can view their polling place and sample ballot online through the Contra Costa County Elections Division.

For additional election information, the City recommends the following:

Easy Voter Guide: This project is a collaboration of the California State Library, the California Secretary of State's Office and the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund with additional support from The James Irvine Foundation and the AT&T Foundation.